The Rock Region METRO Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution Nov. 9 to pursue a dedicated funding source for public transit through a request to the Pulaski County Quorum Court for a quarter-cent sales tax ballot initiative at an upcoming election.
“For the last year, we have joined community and business leaders and interested stakeholders in strategically planning how we will meet the growing demand for public transit in central Arkansas,” said Jarod Varner, executive director. “In addition to the 20 percent growth in ridership we’ve seen in the last six years, there has been of late a very vocal demand for and high interest in central Arkansas offering more multimodal transportation, including public transit. The Move Central Arkansas service plan that this quarter-cent sales tax would fund provides for a more convenient, more accessible public transit system that will contribute to our local economic development and serve those looking for alternate transportation options.”
The quarter-cent sales tax election request will be presented to the Pulaski County Quorum Court today, Nov. 10, with a court vote on the request scheduled for Nov. 24.
“I’m very proud of our board for moving forward with this next step to pursuing a dedicated funding source for central Arkansas’ public transit system,” said Allie Freeman, board chairman. “Rock Region METRO has operated on the same funding formula since 1986, when the authority was created through an interlocal agreement among its city and county jurisdictions. Since then, the transit industry has changed dramatically, as have the transportation needs and wants of our community. While the current funding agreement is an equitable way for each jurisdiction to plan how it funds public transit needs, this dedicated funding source provides Rock Region METRO the autonomy needed to meet the changing transportation needs of our community. We are pleased that the quorum court will hear our case and consider letting Pulaski County voters decide whether to make these system investments.”
The Move Central Arkansas service plan was developed through a strategic planning process led by the San Francisco-based transportation development firm Nelson/Nygaard. The planning process included ongoing input from the community, including a coordinating committee comprising representatives from government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions and other industries; a Blue Ribbon Commission comprising 47 elected officials and executives; six public meetings; several presentations to various community groups and the project’s website, rrmetro.org/move.
The plan provides bus rapid transit along major corridors in Little Rock, cross-town routes in North Little Rock, an express route to West Little Rock, flex zones to better serve less dense areas in the system, and fixed local route service for the first time to Maumelle, Sherwood, Jacksonville and West Little Rock. It also increases frequencies along major routes throughout the system and modernizes the customer experience through fleet upgrades, technology upgrades and additional shelters.
“At this point, we’ve invested a year’s worth of time and effort in the Move Central Arkansas plan, and I’m excited to share it with the community,” said Varner. “The plan is well-researched; it’s vetted by our community leaders, business leaders and other stakeholders; and it’s going to completely transform our community for the better. We know that public transit provides more access to jobs, health care and education; we know it improves our economy; we know it increases property value and puts money back into the hands of our residents; and we know it is a sustainable practice that aids in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, making way for even more economic development opportunities.”